Inducement of ferromagnetic-metallic phase in intermediate-doped charge-ordered Pr0.75Na0.25MnO3 manganite by K+ substitution

Polycrystalline Pr0.75Na0.25-xKxMnO3 (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) ceramics were prepared using conventional solid-state method and their structural, magnetic and electrical transport properties were investigated. Magnetization versus temperature measurements showed un-substituted sample exhibited paramagnetic behavior with charge-ordered temperature, TCO around 218 K followed by antiferromagnetic behavior at transition temperature, TN ∼ 170 K. K+-substitution initially weakened CO state for x = 0.05-0.10 then successfully suppressed the CO state for x = 0.15-0.20 and inducing ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition with Curie temperature, TC increased with x. In addition, deviation of the temperature dependence of inverse magnetic susceptibility curves from the Curie-Weiss law suggests the existence of Griffiths phase-like increased with x. Magnetization versus magnetic field curves show existence of hysteresis loops at T < 260 K (x = 0) and T < 180 K (x = 0.05-0.10), which related to metamagnetic transition occurring at critical field. Electrical resistivity measurements showed an insulating behavior for x = 0 sample while for x = 0.05-0.20 samples showed metal-insulator transition and transition temperature, TMI increased with x. The increased in TC and TMI are attributed to the increase in tolerance factor which indicates reduction in MnO6 octahedral distortion consequently enhanced double exchange interaction.